Ferrarese waterway (Italy)

THE TARGET OF THE PROJECT IS THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE WATERWAY NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THE AREA SURROUNDING THE CITY OF FERRARA AND THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE USE OF THE ENTIRE AREA, NOT JUST FOR NAVIGATION BUT ALSO FOR THE BUILT-UP AREAS (CREATION OF CYCLE PATHS, STOPPING AND REST AREAS ALONG THE WATERWAY).

The Ferrarese waterway is part of a complex system of waterways in northern Italy constructed in the last forty years. The project for the upgrading to traffic class V of the Ferrarese waterway arises from the requirement to improve the whole waterway traffic system in northern Italy, to allow the transit of container ships. By increasing the freight traffic by ship it should be possible to reduce the transport of goods by truck. The objective of the project is to upgrade the existing waterway to allow the transit of European Class V ships. The main works including in the project are:

Adjustment of the existing waterway to guarantee the width and the curve ratio of the European standard for V class of navigation

The construction of a new stretch of canal close to the curve of Final Di Rero to allow two –way ship transit

The construction of new bridges and footbridges made of steel or wood, so as to allow the new class of ships to pass under the bridges

Other interventions are the improvement of Valpagliaro Navigation lock, modifying the lock dimensions, lengthening it by almost 15 m in the current direction, some environmental works to minimize the environmental impact of the works and, in particular, the requalification of the new island between the old stretch and the new stretch close to the curve of Final di Rero with the insertion of green areas on the entire surface of the island.

Further specific information

The waterway between Valpagliaro lock and Migliarino will have two different sections: a single section, 24 mwide and 3.5 m deep in the middle, and a two-way stretch, 42 m wide in the straight stretch, and 48 m wide in the curve stretch, and 3.5 m deep in the middle. All the interferences with other structures (gas, electrical, pipelines, etc.) have been solved in agreement with the competent Authority. The bridge at Cà Dondi, will be made of steel with supporting beams made of tubular trusses. The stringers are also made of tubular trusses, braced, holding up a concrete slab. The total length is 120.00 m. The existing bridge at Final di Rero will be demolished and replaced with a steel arch structure, with a clearance of 55 m and a span over the existing canal of 80.00 m. The arches are made of “I” profiles, braced at the top by cross beams and diagonals.